Organizations initiate programs to improve operations, strengthen customer service, add new products or services, or otherwise impact the organization’s bottom line.
Program managers oversee these programs and ensure successful implementation.
Some of the skills they need depend on the specifics of each program, but there are multiple skills program managers have in common.
Hiring a program manager soon? Here’s a quick overview of what they do, what skills are required, and what program manager interview questions you can ask to uncover those skills.
Program Managers’ Responsibilities
Program managers plan, implement, and track programs from start to finish. They focus on strategies and goals and ensure all steps in the program are consistent with those goals.
What’s a Program?
A “program” covers a wide range of objectives, like introducing a new initiative, improving operating procedures, upgrading manufacturing equipment, and more. Programs can consist of a series of inter-related projects—each with its own goals and outcomes that advance the program’s overall objectives.
What Do Program Managers Do?
Program managers would lead the entire effort, from strategy to successful outcomes, overseeing project teams across departments and functions.
Program manager duties include:
- Establishing program goals and objectives
- Developing strategies
- Forming project teams and developing goals
- Managing the budget
- Assessing and addressing risks
- Ensuring teams remain aligned with program goals
- Collaborating with departments and divisions involved
- Tracking and managing progress
- Keeping stakeholders informed
- Managing daily activities
Program Manager Required Skills
Such a broad set of responsibilities requires a variety of skills! So, let’s take a look at what they may include.
Program-Specific Skills
Some of the skills depend on the type of programs they manage. For example, requirements vary for program managers who will:
- Select and install a new IT backup and recovery system.
- Launch a new line of children’s toys.
- Move the organization’s headquarters to a new city.
What program-specific skills should your program managers have?
General Skills
Regardless of the type of program, program manager candidates should be highly skilled in:
- Leadership
- Team management
- Creative, analytical, and strategic thinking
- Communication and collaboration
- Conflict resolution, influence, and negotiation
- Risk and resource management
- Project management technology
- Budget management
- Planning and organizing
Best Program Manager Interview Questions
With your interview team, determine what you want to know beyond what a candidate’s resume reveals. Then, develop open-ended program manager interview questions to draw out that information. This avoids short yes or no answers and demonstrates the candidates’ way of thinking. Make sure all questions are directly related to the job responsibilities you expect them to fulfill.
Program-Specific Skills Interview Questions
- Tell me about your recruiting experience at your previous employer(s).
- How did you develop your network for sourcing qualified candidates?
Leadership and Team Management Interview Questions
- How did you select team members for your programs?
- What is your team management style?
- How much autonomy do you give your teams?
- How have you motivated project teams to meet or exceed goals?
- What steps did you take to build good working relationships within your teams?
- What team issues have you had to overcome? How did you do it?
Creative, Analytical, and Strategic Thinking Interview Questions
- How did you measure progress for your programs?
- Tell me about a time when you made or changed decisions based on your analyses.
- How do you develop a strategy for a new program?
- Tell me about a time when you used creativity to develop your program or solve a problem.
- How do you develop programs that address organizational goals?
Communication and Collaboration Interview Questions
- How did you keep all teams and stakeholders informed about progress and any issues needing their attention?
- How did teams and other parties communicate with one another? Did they communicate directly or through you?
- What communication methods did you use throughout your programs (e.g., in-person meetings, written, platforms)?
Conflict Resolution, Influence, and Negotiation Interview Questions
- Tell me about a time when you had to resolve conflicts between or within project teams.
- Describe a time when you had to convince another party to do what was needed for your program.
- How did you deal with stakeholders who disagreed with your plans for the program?
Risk and Resource Management Interview Questions
- How have you identified risks for your projects?
- What have you done to reduce or eliminate risks?
Project Management Interview Questions
- Tell me about a time when you had to change course in the middle of a program.
- What caused the change, and how did you and your teams adjust?
- What technologies have you used for managing projects and programs? How have they helped you?
Budget Management Interview Questions
- What size program budgets have you managed?
- What did you do to remain within budget?
- Have you ever run over budget? If so, how did you resolve the problem?
Planning and Organizing Interview Questions
- For one of the programs you led, how did you plan the steps required to complete the program?
- How do you prioritize tasks across multiple projects?
- How do you keep all the parts of your programs organized?
- Tell me about a time when parts of the program became disorganized.
Find Your Perfect Program Manager
The best program managers keep up with multiple moving parts and people! Open-ended, behavioral program manager interview questions prompt candidates to tell detailed stories that reveal their depth of expertise, work habits, and management styles.
Hiring a Program Manager?
Reach out to Insight Global today. We can find you qualified PM candidates in as little as 48 hours! Questions? Call us toll-free: 855-485-8853